Outpouring of support for Portsmouth rink

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 3:15 AM

PORTSMOUTH — Score! Strawbery Banke Museum and Portsmouth skating enthusiasts are seeing an outpouring of support from the community for their plans to build an outdoor public skating rink at the museum.

The rink will be a temporary but professional structure that would go up in December and be taken down in March. Public skating, lessons, pick-up pond hockey and professional ice skating shows are part of the plan. There will also be a viewing area and a fire pit for warming up.

Portsmouth financial planner Jeff Keefe is spearheading the effort: “We aim to create a winter attraction in downtown Portsmouth that will be a community asset.”

Restaurateur Donna Ryan shares the vision: “I am thrilled that families will have a healthy outdoor activity that will be a boost for businesses, visitors and locals.”

Strawberry Banke President Larry Yerdon says winter is a quiet time at the museum and the field in the center of Strawbery Banke is a great venue for a classic rink that will add to Portsmouth’s appeal: “We are working with residents to address any concerns about parking or noise.”

Strawbery Banke Board Vice chair Cynthia Harvel is enthusiastic about the project and is working closely with the Strawbery Banke Board to make this a reality.

The rink will be called “PUDDLE DOCK POND at Strawbery Banke” and is named for the waterway that once ran under where the museum is situated.

The group is already having success raising the $300,000 needed to make it happen and expect to announce some major sponsors soon. Volunteers are also offering to pitch in.

Says longtime skater and hockey mom Janet Stevens “I can’t wait to get out there with my children enjoying one of our favorite sports together.”